Lynda Waltho: My right hon. Friend will know that the extension of the highly successful, reliable and client-friendly Midland Metro from Birmingham to Brierly Hill in the black country is long overdue. I believe that we are due a ministerial visit next month to look at the route. My sons have gone from toddlers to teenagers waiting for this project. Will the Minister give the go-ahead before they make me a grandmother?

David Taylor: My hon. Friend congratulated our hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, Central (Jim Cousins), who brought to the surface the fact that the tax credit argument does not work, because of the high level of non-take-up, particularly at the older end of the spectrum. Is my hon. Friend attracted by the idea of the Government announcing tonight that they will increase the additional pension at 80, which currently stands at £25 a week, by £8 or £10 a week, as an inexpensive interim gesture of good will? That would be affordable and would help to hold the fort for some of our oldest pensioners.